Front mounted hitch device and hitch alignment system

Abstract

A hitch device for removably mounting to the front of a towing vehicle using the existing tow hooks or tow points of the towing vehicle so as to allow for front-coupling the towing vehicle with a trailer or other towed vehicle to make maneuvering and positioning the towed vehicle easier. Also, an alignment system for facilitating alignment of first and second complimentary coupling mechanisms of the towing and towed vehicles.

1 . A device for mounting to the front of a towing vehicle to allow for coupling a towed vehicle to the front of the towing vehicle, wherein the towing vehicle presents first and second front tow hooks, the device comprising: 
 a center portion presenting a ball hitch for removably coupling with the towed vehicle;    a left portion extending angularly outward from a first end of the center portion and having a first coupling end presenting a first mounting hole,    wherein the first coupling end is adapted to cooperate with the first tow hook so that a first bolt can be placed through the first mounting hole in order to removably couple the left portion with the first tow hook; and    a right portion extending angularly outward from a second end of the center portion and having a second coupling end presenting a second mounting hole,    wherein the second coupling end is adapted to cooperate with the second tow hook so that a second bolt can be placed through the second mounting hole in order to removably couple the right portion with the second tow hook.    
   
   
       2 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further including—
 a first polyurethane insert for insertion into the first tow hook and presenting a first hole for closely receiving the first bolt therethrough; and    a second polyurethane insert for insertion into the second tow hook and presenting a second hole for closely receiving the second bolt therethrough    
   
   
       3 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein—
 the left portion is pivotably coupled with the first end of the center portion so as to be independently positionable relative to the center portion; and    the right portion is pivotably coupled with the second end of the center portion so as to be independently positionable relative to the center portion.    
   
   
       4 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein—
 the left portion is divided into two or more left elements, including a left first element and a left end element, which are pivotably coupled together and independently positionable relative to each other; and    the right portion is divided into two or more right elements, including a right first element and a right end element, which are pivotably coupled together and independently positionable relative to each other.    
   
   
       5 . The device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein—
 the left end element is extendable and retractable relative to the left first element; and    the right end element is extendable and retractable relative to the right first element.    
   
   
       6 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a winch removably mounted to the device.  
   
   
       7 . The device as set forth in  claim 6 , further including a metal plate associated with the center portion of the device and to which the winch is removably mounted.  
   
   
       8 . A device for mounting to the front of a towing vehicle to allow for coupling a towed vehicle to the front of the towing vehicle, wherein the towing vehicle presents first and second front tow hooks, the device comprising: 
 a center portion presenting a ball hitch for removably coupling with the towed vehicle;    a left portion extending angularly outward from a first end of the center portion and having a first coupling end presenting a first mounting hole, with the left portion being pivotably coupled with the first end of the center portion so to be independently positionable relative to the center portion, wherein the first coupling end is adapted to cooperate with the first tow hook so that a first bolt can be placed through the first mounting hole in order to removably couple the left portion with the first tow hook;    a first insert for insertion into the first tow hook and presenting a first hole for closely receiving the first bolt therethrough;    a right portion extending angularly outward from a second end of the center portion and having a second coupling end presenting a second mounting hole, with the right portion is pivotably coupled with the second end of the center portion so to be independently positionable relative to the center portion, wherein the second coupling end is adapted to cooperate with the second tow hook so that a second bolt can be placed through the second mounting hole in order to removably couple the right portion with the second tow hook; and    a second insert for insertion into the second tow hook and presenting a second hole for closely receiving the second bolt therethrough.    
   
   
       9 . The device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein—
 the left portion is divided into two or more left elements, including a left first element and a left end element, which are pivotably coupled together and independently positionable relative to each other; and    the right portion is divided into two or more right elements, including a right first element and a right end element, which are pivotably coupled together and independently positionable relative to each other.    
   
   
       10 . The device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein—
 the left end element is extendable and retractable relative to the left first element; and    the right end element is extendable and retractable relative to the right first element.    
   
   
       11 . An alignment system for facilitating alignment of a first coupling mechanism of a towing vehicle and a second coupling mechanism of a towed vehicle, the alignment system comprising: 
 a first indicator including—
 a first elongated body having a first lower end and a first upper end,  
 a first securement mechanism attached to the first lower end for removably coupling the first indicator with a ball portion of the first coupling mechanism,  
 a first cap attached to the first upper end for enhancing visibility of the first indicator,  
 a lower guard substantially surrounding a lower portion of the first elongated body for protecting the first elongated body from damage; and  
   a second indicator including—
 a second elongated body having a second lower end and a second upper end,  
 a second securement mechanism attached to the second lower end for removably coupling the second indicator with a receiver portion of the second coupling mechanism,  
 a second cap attached to the second upper end for enhancing visibility of the second indicator,  
   wherein when the first indicator is positioned on the ball portion it is directly in line with the receiver portion so that when the first and second indicators become sufficiently close the receiver portion physically contacts the lower guard of the first indicator and overcomes the first securement mechanism and tilts or knocks the first indicator off of the ball portion, thereby indicating that the ball and receiver portions are aligned for coupling.    
   
   
       12 . The alignment system as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the first and second securement mechanisms each include a magnet.  
   
   
       13 . The alignment system as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the first and second elongated bodies each include a substantially cylindrical pole.  
   
   
       14 . The alignment system as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the first and second caps each provide more surface area than the uncapped first and second upper ends of the first and second elongated bodies.  
   
   
       15 . The alignment system as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the lower guard is substantially cylindrical in shape and extends completely around the lower portion of the first elongated body.  
   
   
       16 . The alignment system as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the first elongated body is longer than the second elongated body in order to compensate for the lower position of the first indicator during use.